Easter is the most important festival of Eastern Christianity. The Greeks celebrate this festival very widely, not only in a religious sense, but also in a popular and traditional way. It’s both a spiritual and festive moment. Athens has a very special atmosphere in the days before and after Easter.
Here you will find practical information about Easter in Athens:
- religious calendar
- children’s activities
- closing days for antique sites and museums
- store hours
For more information, see our article Traditions and Easter celebrations in Greece.
The calendar for Easter 2024 in Athens
Orthodox Easter doesn’t have quite the same calendar as Catholic Easter. Here is the 2024 calendar:
- Palm Sunday: April 28, 2024
- Holy Tuesday: April 30, 2024. You can listen to the Kassiani hymn at St Nicholas Church in Plaka (evenings from 6pm)
- Holy Wednesday, May 1, 2024. On this day, communion takes place during the morning service. Meet early (around 8am) in a small Byzantine church in central Athens. There is also a service on Wednesday evenings during which Holy Unction is performed (holy oil is applied to the foreheads of the faithful).
- Maundy Thursday, May 2, 2024: (morning and evening masses in Athens churches)
- Good Friday, May 3, 2024. The procession of the epitaph in the evening (around 9pm) is an important and moving moment that we recommend you attend, even if you’re not a believer. You’ll see many processions in the streets of Athens, with worshippers carrying a candle. Visit the Church of St. Irene (on St. Irene Square, Monastiraki metro station), for example, to watch the procession and listen to the magnificent Byzantine chants.
- Easter Saturday, May 4, 2024: mass followed by a vigil with lights and fireworks at midnight. We recommend you visit the Church of St. George at the top of Mount Lycabetta (go there around 11pm). An absolutely unique experience!
- Easter Sunday in Greece is May 5, 2024: Enjoy lamb and music in the taverns of Plaka.
- Easter Monday, May 6, 2024
Closing days for sites and museums in Athens during the Easter holidays
Don’t hesitate to click on the links to check opening times and days on the official websites of the sites and museums.
Opening hours on Good Friday, May 3, 2024 :
Most monuments and museums will close earlier than usual.
- Acropolis : Specific opening times not yet communicated, so in principle the Acropolis will be open as usual.
- Acropolis Museum : Modified opening hours, open from 12:00 to 18:00.
- Athens Archaeological Museum Opening hours : usually modified, open from 12:00 to 18:00 (not specified for 2023).
- Byzantine Museum : Modified opening hours, open from 12:00 to 17:00.
- Museum of Cycladic Art : Modified opening hours, open from 12:00 to 17:00.
Opening hours on Saturday, May 4, 2024 :
In most cases, opening hours will be restricted on Easter Saturday.
- Acropolis Specific opening times not yet communicated, so in principle the Acropolis will be open as usual.
- Acropolis Museum : Modified opening hours, open from 9:00 to 15:00.
- Athens Archaeological Museum : At present, no information on specific opening times.
- Byzantine Museum : No specific opening hours at present
- Museum of Cycladic Art: Modified opening hours, open from 10:00 to 15:00
Opening hours on Sunday, May 5, 2024 :
Most monuments and museums will be closed on Easter Sunday.
- Acropolis Closed
- Acropolis Museum Closed
- Athens Archaeological Museum Closed
- Byzantine Museum Closed
- Museum of Cycladic Art Closed
Opening hours on Monday, May 6, 2024 :
Most museums and monuments will be open as usual.
- Acropolis Specific opening times not yet communicated, so in principle the Acropolis will be open as usual.
- Acropolis Museum Opening hours : Specific opening hours not communicated, therefore usual opening hours from 8:00 to 17:00.
- Athens Archaeological Museum Regular opening hours, 8:00 to 20:00
- Byzantine Museum Normal opening hours, 8:30 to 15:30
- Museum of Cycladic Art Closed
Store opening times during Easter
For Easter, stores are changing their opening hours. So you can do your shopping:
- some businesses will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Palm Sunday, april 28, 2024
- From 1 to 7 p.m. on Good Friday, May 3, 2024
- Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- the vast majority of shops will be closed on Easter Sunday May 5, 2024 and Easter Monday May 6, 2024 (even in tourist areas)
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We wish you a very happy Easter! Kalo Pasqua!
Laure M.
